Question 1

Alabama

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate weddings. Ministers must submit a copy of the marriage certificate to probate court. Christian Ministers Association

Question 2

Alaska

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers, priests, or rabbis may perform marriages. Ministers must record the marriage license and return it to the clerk. Christian Ministers Association

Question 3

Arizona

Accepted Answer

Licensed or ordained clergy can officiate. After ceremony, the license must be returned to the Superior Court clerk within 20 days. Christian Ministers Association

Question 4

Arkansas (requires registration)

Accepted Answer

Ministers must register with a county clerk before performing a wedding. American Marriage Ministries

Question 5

California

Accepted Answer

Any priest, minister, or rabbi over 18 can perform marriages. The officiant must return the completed license to the county clerk within 4 days. Christian Ministers Association

Question 6

Colorado

Accepted Answer

Couples may self-solemnize (no officiant needed). Ordained ministers may also officiate and must return the certificate to the county clerk. Wikipedia+1

Question 7

Connecticut

Accepted Answer

Ordained or licensed clergy from any state may officiate. The marriage license must be completed and returned to the town or city clerk. Christian Ministers Association

Question 8

Delaware (requires registration)

Accepted Answer

Ministers must register with the Clerk of the Peace in the county to officiate. Christian Ministers Association+1

Question 9

District of Columbia (Washington, DC)

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. They must return the certificate within 10 days to the Court of General Sessions. Christian Ministers Association

Question 10

Florida

Accepted Answer

No minister registration required. Must be ordained to officiate. American Marriage Ministries

Question 11

Georgia

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate weddings; no statewide registration typically needed. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 12

Hawaii (requires state license)

Accepted Answer

Ministers must be licensed by the Department of Health before performing weddings. ThePCO

Question 13

Idaho

Accepted Answer

Ordained clergy may perform weddings. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 14

Illinois

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 15

Indiana

Accepted Answer

Ordained clergy may perform weddings. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 16

Iowa

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 17

Kansas

Accepted Answer

Ordained clergy may perform weddings. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 18

Kentucky

Accepted Answer

No minister registration required. Ordination is sufficient. American Marriage Ministries

Question 19

Louisiana (requires registration)

Accepted Answer

Ministers must register with the Parish Clerk (affidavit) and comply with other local practices. ThePCO

Question 20

Maine

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 21

Maryland

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 22

Massachusetts (some registration / one-day license possibility)

Accepted Answer

Clergy may need to register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth; non-clergy may apply for a one-day officiant license. American Marriage Ministries+2ThePCO+2

Question 23

Michigan

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 24

Minnesota (requires registration + age 21 minimum)

Accepted Answer

All officiants must register with a county office before performing weddings. Must be at least 21 years old. American Marriage Ministries

Question 25

Mississippi

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 26

Missouri

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 27

Montana

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 28

Nebraska

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 29

Nevada (requires permission / registration)

Accepted Answer

Officiants need a Certificate of Permission to Solemnize through the county clerk. Clark County, NV

Question 30

New Hampshire (possible restriction for non-residents)

Accepted Answer

Non-resident ministers may need a special license from the Secretary of State for that wedding. ThePCO

Question 31

New Jersey

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 32

New Mexico

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 33

New York (NYC requires registration)

Accepted Answer

In New York City, officiants must register with the City Clerk Marriage Bureau. Outside NYC, most localities do not require registration. American Marriage Ministries+1

Question 34

North Carolina

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 35

North Dakota

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 36

Ohio (requires minister license)

Accepted Answer

Ministers must obtain a Minister License from the Ohio Secretary of State to legally officiate. American Marriage Ministries

Question 37

Oklahoma

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 38

Oregon

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 39

Pennsylvania (self-uniting option)

Accepted Answer

Couples can self-solemnize with a self-uniting license (no officiant required). Ministers may also officiate. Wikipedia

Question 40

Rhode Island

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. One-day officiant option also exists. American Marriage Ministries+1

Question 41

South Carolina

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 42

South Dakota

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 43

Tennessee

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate, though there was historical legal conflict with online ordinations — always confirm with the county clerk. American Marriage Ministries+1

Question 44

Texas

Accepted Answer

No officiant registration required. Being an ordained minister is sufficient. American Marriage Ministries

Question 45

Utah

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 46

Vermont (for non-residents possibly)

Accepted Answer

Non-resident ministers may need special permission; many states with extra rules list Vermont in that group. ThePCO

Question 47

Virginia (strict / additional authorization)

Accepted Answer

Online-ordained ministers have faced legal obstacles under Virginia law; courts have sometimes denied validity—very important to verify local rules. Wikipedia+1

Question 48

Washington

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 49

West Virginia (requires registration)

Accepted Answer

Officiants must register with the WV Secretary of State. American Marriage Ministries

Question 50

Wisconsin

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

Question 51

Wyoming

Accepted Answer

Ordained ministers may officiate. (No known extra requirement in sources reviewed)

STATE WEDDING LAWS

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas (requires registration)

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware (requires registration)

District of Columbia (Washington, DC)

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii (requires state license)

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana (requires registration)

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts (some registration / one-day license possibility)

Michigan

Minnesota (requires registration + age 21 minimum)

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada (requires permission / registration)

New Hampshire (possible restriction for non-residents)

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York (NYC requires registration)

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio (requires minister license)

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania (self-uniting option)

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont (for non-residents possibly)

Virginia (strict / additional authorization)

Washington

West Virginia (requires registration)

Wisconsin

Wyoming

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